The Washington critic., 1887-10-25
BACK TAN QUESTIONS.
An Interesting Statement from MI
Ashford Relative to the james Case.

Al iHterehtinE 5thteheHt tTOW MT.
Ashford Relative to the james Case.
EDITOR Critic: A local item in yester-
days Issue Of THE CRITIC, referring to the
question between the District and Miss
james, touching a water-rent bill, does me
Injustice In stating that "Mr. Ashford, when
he examined her title, informed her thsre
wfs nothing against the property.n Such
is rot the fact, as my report, which is in
writing, will show.
In the first place, q charge for water rent
is not lien upon real estate any more than
agas bill, and could not be reported as such
by any examiner who understands his busi-
ness. In the next place, as every one who
deals in real estate knows, since the act of
1873, requiring the Collector to certify as TO
arrearages of taxes, every examination of a
title expressly excepts taxes and refers the
purchaser to the Collectors certificate.
In this case the certificate was obtained
and all taxes shown thereby to be due were
paid before Miss james purchased; and
the only question in the case is, whether
the District having failed for sixty days to
enforce payment, as required by law, Miss
James is to be forced to pay nine months In
advance an extra charge for keeping an
eatiDg-house, when II is conceded all round
that she intends using the premises for no
such purpose. With this question have
no connection as attorney or otherwise.
When Miss james stated the ise to me, 1
Of introduction to Commissioner Webb,
tupposiDg In the innocence OF my
soul, that the mere statement by her of her
case would ensure her relief in the remis-
sion Of the charge for eating house for the
next nine months. was surprised to re-
ceive card a few days afterwards from the
District Office, informing me that my letter
chad been referred to the Engineer Depart
nent for prompt action" That settled It,
and / Informed Miss j. that ste should pre-.
pare to "foIk over" or fight.
NJ ASHFORD.
Washington, October 25, 1887.
Tauors at military Posts.
EDIToR CRITIC; In this age Of military
reform 1t seems strange that no one has ex-
pressed an opinion as to the best way OF
cbeaply altering army clothing. While
thankful to the Quartermaster.G General for
his laudablc efforts to fit men by increasing
the number of sizes OF clothing, 1t is to a
great extent failure. Military clothing
cannot be made so that when Issued 1t will
| fit every man. For this reason unmade
clothing, particularly blouses and trousers,
| is drawn oftener than the made-up article
The necessity for altering or making up
clothing therefore exists. Permit me to
suggest remedy:
Establish at each post tailor shop, under
control Of the post treasurer; run It on the
same principle as the post bakery-self-
supporting. Let men he detailed on daily
duty In proportion to the number of en-.
listed men at the post; say one tailor to fifty
Of 35 cents per day. Appoint a master
tailor at 10 cents per day, who VIII be held
responsible that the work is done well md
expeditously; the post council Of admins
tration TO fix price list, charging only suf-
fciept to pay the labor employed and the
cost OF findings; no part Of the proceeds on
any account to be appropriated to the post
or regimental fund This scheme involves
no expense to the Government
A difficulty at first might arise In oh.
taining tailore, who charge so exorbitantly
now, to work for extra duty pay, but there
is no doubt In a little while this objection
would pass away, and tailors would as
eagerly seek detail in the tailor shop as
carpenters, painters, ETC., do now at their
respective trades In the Army. The writer
is sure that he has never been fairly
weighed In this lire, and there is no reason
why this class Of enlisted men should be
allowed, whose only notion is that OF In
justice, theft and robbery, taking from him
his monthly pay guaranteed under solemn
contract with the Government,
A PRIVATE SOLDIER.
The Arsenal Oct. "a